A staple since COSSA’s earliest days, the biweekly COSSA Washington Update newsletter provides members and the public with comprehensive coverage of policy developments impacting social and behavioral science research.
Nominations Open for the Alan T. Waterman Award
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking nominations for the Alan T. Waterman Award, which recognizes an early career researcher in any field of science or engineering supported by the NSF. The award winner will receive a medal and a grant of $1 million to use over a five-year period for scientific research or advanced study in the mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, social, or other sciences at the institution of the recipient’s choice. Nominations will be accepted through September 15, 2023. Read more about the award’s criteria, the application, and the selection process here.
DHS Designates “Demography and Population Studies” as STEM Degree
On July 12, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a Federal Register notice adding “Demography and Population Studies” to the programs within the DHS sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) designated degrees program list. This addition allows international students to remain in the United States for two years of “Optional Practical Training” as opposed to the previous one year. The Population Association of America (PAA), a COSSA Governing Member, worked with its membership to secure designation of “Demography and Population Studies” within this category. Read more about this successful change on the PAA website here.
NSF to Launch New Program on Research Security
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has disclosed its plans to introduce a program centered around the critical domain of research security. Named the Research on Research Security Program (RRSP), the objective is to review the nuances, breadth, challenges, and potential of research security. Key focus areas under this initiative include cybersecurity, security concerning foreign travel, training on research security, and instruction on export controls. The program will aim to fund initiatives that evaluate methodologies to pinpoint research security hazards and the tactics to prevent and minimize threats. This will equip researchers with key insights on safeguarding their work, amplifying transparency and cooperation,…
HHS Scientific Integrity Policy Public Comment Request Released
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a draft of its Scientific Integrity Policy and is inviting the public to share feedback and comments. The draft policy is in response to the Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-based Policymaking. Its main objective is to offer agency stakeholders an opportunity to voice their opinions on the policy. HHS formulated the draft following the guidelines from the National Science and Technology Council Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice. The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2023. For additional details on the draft and how to…
White House Secures Commitments from Leading AI Companies for Safer AI Development
On July 21, the White House gathered seven of the world’s leading AI companies, including Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI to gain consensus over the responsible development of AI. Reflecting the Administration’s ongoing commitment to leverage AI’s potential without compromising Americans’ rights and safety, these companies agreed to operate by the standards that emphasize safety, security, and trust in AI. This initiative showcases a collective understanding that AI’s benefits should not come at the expense of fundamental rights. In line with the announcement, the Administration has been actively consulting international allies, aiming for a globally coordinated approach to AI. Countries…
AAAS Hosts Federal Agencies to Discuss Public Access Policies
On July 17, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) hosted federal agencies alongside the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a discussion, How can public access advance equity and learning? During the first half of the webinar, officials from NSF, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) discussed their implementation strategies for public access. During the panel and audience Q&A session, AAAS invited professors and PhD candidates to discuss the effect of public access on universities and students. In accordance with…
Social Science Community Responds to Supreme Court Affirmative Action Ruling
The social science community has voiced its concerns and disappointment following the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action in college admissions. On June 29, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict in the two cases of Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina, declaring that race cannot be a factor in college admissions. The 6-3 ruling, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, effectively marks the end of affirmative action in higher education in the United States. Leaders within the social science community have responded. Felice J…
Save the Date! Social Science Advocacy Day is April 8-9
We are excited to invite social science advocates to COSSA’s tenth annual Social Science Advocacy Day on April 8-9, 2024! Our signature, members-only event will bring together social and behavioral science researchers, faculty, students, association professionals, and other advocates from across the country to meet with their elected officials in Congress to discuss the value of our sciences and the importance of federal funding. Stay tuned for additional details over the coming months, including how to register and available sponsorship opportunities. We hope to see you in Washington, DC in April 2024!
FY24 Appropriations Underway, Senate Appropriators to Review CJS Bill
As previously reported in the weeks leading up to the Independence Day recess, several House Subcommittees began their work for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The House Appropriations Committee has scheduled mark ups for state and operations, financial services, and transportation, in addition to the already reported agriculture, defense, energy and water, homeland security, and legislative branch activities bills. Earlier this week, 21 House Republicans signed a letter to Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) stating their intent to reject any funding amounts above the FY 2022 levels. Additionally, they urged the Speaker to hold floor considerations until all 12 appropriations bills have been reported. With the slim majority…
Jane M. Simoni named NIH Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research and OBSSR Director
On July 6, Dr. Jane M. Simoni was officially named as the next National Institutes of Health (NIH) Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, and Director of the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR). Simoni will assume the role at the end of July. Simoni is a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience in research focused on health disparities and resilience among populations that have been socially marginalized. Simoni joins NIH from the University of Washington (UW) where she is Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology. Simoni is the…
ARPA-H Announces Senior Health Economist Position
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced they are hiring a new Senior Health Economist within its executive leadership team. The role of the Senior Health Economist will inform the agency’s program portfolio priority setting, resource allocation, and policy development through in-depth health economic modeling and analysis. The ideal candidate will exhibit strong technical expertise in Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) and is expected to build economic and population-based models using relevant software and stay aware of external best practices for the development and utilization of these models. The Senior Health Economist will use strategic decision-making frameworks to evaluate…
OSTP Releases Scientific Integrity Policy
On June 28, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) published a new Scientific Integrity Policy. As previously reported, the new policy reflects many of the recommendations raised in the 2023 interagency report, A Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice. The policy strives to provide guidance to promote a continuing culture of scientific integrity and aims to ensure the integrity of all aspects of OSTP scientific activities. The new policy also establishes the expectations and procedures required to maintain scientific integrity at OSTP. Read the full report here.
NAS: The Use of Race and Ethnicity in Biomedical Research
The National Academies’ Health and Medicine Division announced that they are seeking nominations for 12-15 volunteer experts to participate in the new consensus study tasked with evaluating the current use of the social constructs of race and ethnicity in biomedical research. The study will assess how racialized group and ethnic categories are currently used, review existing guidance for researchers on the use of race as a variable, and provide recommendations to guide the scientific community in the future use of race and ethnicity. The nominated experts should be from the following areas: Submit your nominations by July 15, 2023.
AAPSS and Niskanen Center Hosts Webinar on Preventing Gun Violence in America
On June 10, the American Academy of Political and Social Science (AAPSS) hosted a webinar to discuss a collection of reports on Preventing Gun Violence in America: What Works and What is Possible. The collection, published in the AAPSS’s journal The ANNALS, consists of fourteen reports focusing on different issues and solutions of gun violence in America, including mass shootings, community gun violence, and intimate partner violence with guns. The Niskanen Center co-hosted the webinar with a panel that included one of the report’s special editors, Dr. Kerri M. Raissan, and two authors of the report, Dr. Jaclyn Schildkraut and Dr. Jennifer Paruk. The discussion focused…
Applications Open for the Third Cohort of New Voices Program
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) announced applications for the third cohort of their New Voices program are now open. The program invites applications from emerging U.S.-based leaders across all disciplines of the sciences, engineering, and medicine. Ideal candidates will have an established record of professional excellence and a demonstrated commitment to service beyond their immediate discipline and institution. Launched in 2018, the New Voices program aims to bring diverse and innovative perspectives from early- and mid-career leaders into crucial dialogues on how science, engineering, and medicine are shaping our global future. Membership in the New Voices program offers…
AmStat and COSSA Virtual Briefing: What the Latest DOJ Funded Research and Statistics Say About Crime and Justice in the US
On July 27, the American Statistical Association (AmStat) and COSSA will be sponsoring a virtual briefing concerning the importance of research and statistics to inform crime and justice policy. Join Dr. Nancy La Vigne, Director of the National Institute of Justice, and Dr. Alex Piquero, Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, for a discussion about their priorities for advancing the use of science in crime and justice including in the areas of forensics and DNA, corrections and recidivism reduction, and the effectiveness of police body armor. Learn more about the briefing and registration here.
Ady Arguelles-Sabatier Named New AAA Executive Director
On July 10, the American Anthropological Association (AAA), a COSSA member, announced Ady Arguelles-Sabatier as its new executive director. Arguelles-Sabatier joins AAA with a background in anthropology and association management, dedicating her career to social entrepreneurship projects and non-profit fundraising for over 20 years. Previously, Arguelles-Sabatier served as the Senior Executive Director of Development, Innovation Philanthropy & Florida International University (FIU) Ventures, as well as the Interim Senior Executive Director of Corporate Relations at FIU. Arguelles-Sabatier will assume her role on July 31st, 2023 and will be responsible for guiding AAA’s strategic direction, enhancing member engagement, and advocating for the importance of…
FY 2024 Funding Bills Advance, Outlook is Still Murky
As previously reported, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have started moving fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills in recent weeks. The House Appropriations Committee has reported out five of its 12 appropriations bills, including those covering funding for agriculture, defense, energy and water, homeland security, and legislative branch activities. The Senate committee recently approved two bills dealing with military construction/veteran’s affairs and agriculture. On the surface, progress appears to be moving at a decent pace. However, bigger political pressures continue to bog down the annual appropriations process, creating lots of uncertainty about the path forward. Last week before considering its funding for two bills, the Senate Appropriations…
Shaping NSF’s TIP Directorate
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking public input into the development of a roadmap for the newly created Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP). The roadmap will guide the TIP Directorate’s activities and directions for the next three years, and COSSA needs your input to help ensure that insights from social and behavioral science research are included—if not prioritized—in efforts to shape the future of U.S. technology development and deployment. COSSA will be submitting comments to NSF on behalf of the research community before the deadline. We want to hear from you. Comments and ideas for the roadmap should be sent…